Brazil Reverses Controversial Waterways Decree After Indigenous Protests. FEB 26, 2026

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Brazil Reverses Controversial Waterways Decree After Indigenous Protests

Brasília — In a striking shift, the Brazilian government officially revoked Decree 12.600/2025, which would have opened key Amazonian rivers — the Tapajós, Madeira, and Tocantins — to private concession and dredging, following sustained Indigenous resistance and national debate over environmental and cultural impacts.

The decision, announced on February 23, 2026, was taken after more than 30 days of Indigenous mobilization, including the occupation of port facilities and protests in Santarém (Pará) and demonstrations in Brasília and São Paulo. The government published a new decree in the Diário Oficial da União this week, suspending the effects of the original measure and halting groundwork for the waterway project.

From Dredging Plans to Government Retreat

Decree 12.600/2025, signed by the federal government in August last year, had aimed to include stretches of the three rivers in Brazil’s national privatization program, paving the way for private sector management of dredging and navigation — measures seen by proponents as essential for improving logistics but viewed by critics as a threat to ecological balance and community rights.

According to officials, the revocation resulted from government dialogue with Indigenous leaders, represented by organizations such as the Tapajós and Arapiuns Indigenous Council, who argued that the project had been advanced without meaningful consultation, posing risks to water quality, traditional fishing, cultural heritage sites, and the overall environment of their territories.

Mobilization at the Heart of the Decision

Indigenous communities and allies held protests for weeks, at times blocking access to the Cargill port terminal on the Tapajós River — a major hub for soybean and grain transport — to voice their opposition to the decree. The demonstrations drew national and international attention, spotlighting concerns over the rights of traditional populations and the future of Amazonian waterways.

After the revocation was announced, many Indigenous protesters began to leave the Cargill facility, which they had occupied in opposition to the contested policy.

Government Response and Dialogue

The revocation was declared by Guilherme Boulos, Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, and Sônia Guajajara, Minister for Indigenous Peoples, following consultations at the Palácio do Planalto with Indigenous representatives. In public remarks, officials emphasized that the reversal demonstrated a willingness to listen to communities historically affected by infrastructure decisions.

The measure formally suspends implementation of the prior decree and rescinds its regulatory basis, underscoring the constitutional requirement for free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) when projects impact Indigenous territories — a standard enshrined in international agreements such as ILO Convention 169.

Beyond the Repeal

The revocation has been applauded by Indigenous organizations and environmental advocates as a major victory for grassroots advocacy. However, some voices stress that broader legal and legislative challenges remain, including ongoing proposals in Congress that could still affect Amazonian communities and ecosystems.

The United Nations Human Rights Office also issued a statement welcoming Brazil’s decision and highlighting the importance of upholding Indigenous rights in development planning — affirming that the reversal aligns with international norms aimed at protecting traditional peoples and environmental integrity.

As the national debate continues, the episode underscores the increasing influence of Indigenous mobilization on public policy and the ongoing tensions between development initiatives, environmental preservation, and cultural rights in the Amazon region.

The Green Amazon News – International

This text was compiled using public data, scientific reports, and information from meteorological institutions.

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